Linda CortezPractice Manager

Growing up on a small ranch on the outskirts of Mission, it was impossible for Linda not to connect with the animals that she cared for daily. She knew early on that pets would be a part of her life forever—what better way to share her love of animals, Linda thought, than by working at a veterinary hospital.

Linda began at Mission Veterinary Hospital shortly after graduating high school. She briefly lived in San Marcos, where she also worked for a local vet. After returning home and working at a dental office, she was asked to join the Mission Veterinary Hospital team again, and gladly accepted. She’s been working in the veterinary field since 1991. She began in the reception area, moved over to a technician position, and is now the Practice Manager.

Her human family loves animals as much as she does! And currently they have 3 American bullies, 1 Chihuahua, 4 cats, 3 ball pythons, 1 bearded dragon, and 1 pet ferret that cohabitate in their home. All her animals have a great life living in the home surrounded by love and family interactions on a daily basis.

Linda loves managing the excellent team of doctors and staff and considers them her extended family. They do keep her on her toes at all times which makes for exciting days! She particularly loves the daily interactions she has with clients and their furbabies, they are what make her job all the worthwhile.

Linda EwerBusiness Administrator

Linda joined the Mission Veterinary Hospital team in 1998 after a friend told her that Dr. Heflin was looking for someone to take over the clinic’s bookkeeping. Since she had a business degree and was up for the challenge, she gladly accepted Dr. Heflin’s offer! In January of 2003, she was promoted to her current position of Business Administrator.

Linda was born and raised in Wisconsin with two brothers and two sisters. After eight challenging years of working full-time and attending college part-time, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Alverno College in Milwaukee. In 1996, Linda and her family relocated to the warm weather of the Rio Grande Valley.

Although she’s often working behind closed doors on projects or crunching numbers, Linda likes to periodically walk through the hospital, visiting clients and giving hugs to nervous pets. She absolutely loves working with the staff, clients, and their beloved pets!

Linda’s two children are grown up now and on their own, so she and her husband now share the house with two Yorkies: Tiffany and Pumpkin. They know how to sit, shake a paw, and give high fives!

When Linda isn’t at the clinic, you can find her doing projects around the house, swimming, biking, hiking, and going on adventurous camping trips with her husband.

Rudy RiosReceptionist

Rudy admits that he started in the veterinary profession simply looking for work. As time went on, though, he developed a deep passion and appreciation for animal care. Now, Rudy has the honor of being Mission Veterinary Hospital’s longest-dedicated employee, celebrating a 24-year career here in February of 2018!

Rudy was born and raised in the Mission area along with nine other siblings. He grew up on a farm, so animal care was always second nature. He began working at Mission Veterinary Hospital in 1994 as a kennel assistant, then began helping out with large animals. During this time, Rudy was involved in many sleepless nights with the vets, taking care of after-hour emergency cases! In 2003, he started a new position as a receptionist, where he’s stayed to this day.

Rudy and his lovely wife, Lali have a daughter and son, and he is a Grandfather to two wonderful grandsons and a sweet granddaughter. Rudy and Lali share their home with Lucy, a Maltepoo, and two cats Percy and Perry.

Racheal AlexanderReceptionist

Born on the island of Trinidad and Tobago, Rachael has worked at Mission Veterinary Hospital since March of 2008. It was here that she discovered she has a sweet spot in her heart for animals! Apart from giving animals the best care possible, Racheal also enjoys interacting with people and educating clients on proper pet care.

Angela ContrerasReceptionist

Having grown up in Mission around pets, Angela knew that being around animals could change her mood no matter how hectic her day had been. She can’t imagine a better place to work than with the caring staff and loving pets of Mission Veterinary Hospital!

Angela’s aunt used to work for a neighboring veterinary practice and heard about an opening at Mission Veterinary Hospital. She knew Angela had experience in an office setting, so she referred her. Angela loves interacting with the animals that walk into the clinic, forming a bond between employee and pet. She also enjoys answering client questions to help owners get a better understanding of their pet’s care.

When not at work, Angela spends most of her time with her children and family. When time permits, she enjoys traveling, spending time on the beach, and being outdoors.

Currently, she has no pets of her own due to work and her children’s schedule. But her mom has a 3 year old chocolate Labrador retriever who she loves as her own!

Yoli PerezReceptionist

Yoli was a client here at Mission Veterinary Hospital before she was an employee. When she brought her pet in for a check-up, she and Dr. Heflin started talking about jobs; before she knew it, Yoli was submitting an application! She’s been a part of the clinic family since May of 2015 and couldn’t be happier.

Yoli grew up in Mercedes, Texas with her mother, grandmother, three sisters, and a brother. The family constantly brought in strays, which Yoli says contributed to her love of animal care early on in life! Here at the hospital, she’s particularly fond of interacting with clientele and their furry companions, and loves providing a reassuring smile or comforting shoulder for those who need it most. Yoli is 1 of 4 cat advocates who actively search for ways to make each feline visit as comfortable as possible.

Outside of work, Yoli enjoys painting, drawing, gaming, spending time with her significant other Oscar, friends and family, and caring for their lazy kitties Shadow and Ajani as well as their pitbull puppers Broly and Astrea.

Bruno GarciaVeterinary Technician

Bruno’s passion for animal care has always been in his heart even since a little boy saving animals and caring for them. Bruno’s second and equal passion is Computer Programming but again making games with animals in them, as his first hit he created Scribble Jumper a bird jumping through obstacles.

Bruno will always share this love for animals no matter what he does or where he goes. As a Vet Technician for Mission Veterinary Hospital he will continue until destiny decides to change it for him.

Leslie BowmanVeterinary Technician

Leslie grew up as an only child, and her family pets were her constant companions. She cannot remember a time when she didn’t adore the company of animals! For her, working in the world of veterinary medicine simply makes good sense.

Leslie attended Texas A&M University-Kingsville to study animal science. When she learned about a new program in Veterinary Technology that was being offered, she jumped at her chance—Leslie was one of the first five people to graduate from the program, and she’s been a Veterinary Technician ever since!

Leslie interned right here at Mission Veterinary Hospital during her stint in Technician school, and accepted a full-time position with the clinic after graduation. In addition to her passion for educating clients on proper pet care, she’s particularly fond of dental work and loves to polish and scale pets’ teeth. She even plans on heading back to school soon to start work on her specialty in veterinary dentistry!

Away from the office, Leslie enjoys spending time with family, going to the gym, reading great books, traveling, and hiking with her two dogs, Gigi and Rooster.

Carlos RodriguezVeterinary Technician

After graduating from Sharyland High School in 1993, Carlos worked on cattle ranches for 10 years before joining the Mission Veterinary Hospital team in 2001. He and his wife have two boys who are both actively involved in the Future Farmers of America program and love raising show goats and pigs.

Megan HudsonLicensed Veterinary Technician

Megan’s mother instilled in her a compassion and love for all animals at an early age. When her high-school counselor told Megan about the Veterinary Technician role, she knew that she’d happened across the perfect career path! Megan hasn’t looked back since. Now, she’s thrilled to tend to the pets and animal owners of Mission here at Mission Veterinary Hospital.

Megan is from Buffalo, New York and attended Medaille College to earn her Associate’s degree in veterinary technology. She passed her National Veterinary Technician exam in 2009 to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician, then began working at the same hospital where she had completed her internship. Next, Megan continued school and earned her Bachelor’s degree in biology in the spring of 2010.

Megan relocated to Texas from New York for her husband’s job in early 2017, and joined the team here at Mission Veterinary Hospital shortly thereafter. She has particular interests in critical care (nothing beats getting a sick patient to eat on their own!), anesthesia, and surgical work.

When she isn’t caring for animals here at the clinic, Megan enjoys hiking, camping, traveling, and trying out local restaurants with her husband, Justin. She also enjoys Skyping with family back home every chance she gets. The couple shares their home with three mischievous feline companions—Large Marge, Phyllis, and Sam—who love to wake Megan up at 5:00 a.m. on a daily basis, to demand their breakfast.

Mila EstradaVeterinary Technician

Mila’s passion for animal care started before she can even remember—her mother tells her she bottle-fed an abandoned rabbit when she was only a baby! She came to Mission Veterinary Hospital in 1995 and will be celebrating 23 years of dedicated service in 2018.

Mila used to work at Winn’s for 13 years, where she was in charge of the pets, toys, and tool departments. After the store closed, she came to Mission Veterinary Hospital. Here, she loves working hands-on with dogs and cats, and also enjoys going out on farm calls to see horses and cattle. When the opportunity is available, Mila enjoys attending continuing education classes to further her veterinary knowledge.

At home, Mila enjoys taking care of all her animals, which include horses, dogs, cats, and between 30 to 40 goats. Her goal someday is to show her goats at local livestock shows!

Kathleen QuinnVeterinary Technician

Kathleen felt drawn to the veterinary profession since the eighth grade. When she saw a local junior college near her home that offered a program in animal care, Kathleen knew it was the only choice for her!

Kathleen was raised outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with her two brothers. She attended Harcum Junior College, graduating in 1980 with an Associate’s Degree in Animal Management. She then attended Penn State University, receiving her Bachelors of Science in Animal Production in 1984. After working in Pennsylvania, Florida, and Kentucky, Kathleen arrived at Mission Veterinary Hospital in October of 2007 after meeting Dr. Heflin and his wife through her children.

Having worked as a veterinary technician for the past 30 years, Kathleen is most amazed by the technological changes that have come about over time. She remembers running tests manually, when they’re now performed completely by machines!

Kathleen has two sons and two daughters. The family shares their home with Waller, a Golden Retriever who loves swimming in the pool. When not at work or spending time with family, Kathleen enjoys cross-stitching, and watching her family’s favorite college sports teams, the MLB, and the NFL.

Doris SalinasVeterinary Technician

Born and raised in McAllen, Texas, Doris received her Veterinary Assistant diploma in 2006 from Penn Foster University. She joined the Mission Veterinary Hospital staff in 2007 as a receptionist, and was promoted in 2009 to a Veterinary Technician position. Doris chose to pursue this field because her love for all animals was undeniable. The feeling of saving lives, maintaining good health in these animals, and educating clients on proper care and maintenance is one of her daily goals. She feels animals are people too.

Doris and her husband live in McAllen with their wonderful son. They also share their home with twelve dogs and four cats, which the majority of her pets were rescues.

When time permits, Doris enjoys keeping fit, shopping, traveling, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Tatiana Flores

Desiree JimenezAnimal Care Assistant

Desiree has always had love and a wider concern about the well-being of all animals. Seeking a way to become a voice for animals, she was then given a job opportunity at Mission Veterinary Hospital. Desiree’s goal has developed to pursue a degree in Veterinary Technician at Texas A&M Kingsville. At the moment, she is working to become a Certified Veterinarian Assistant. Her experience for animals continues to increase, as does her knowledge for animal welfare.

Desiree brings her love for animals back home to her dachshunds, named Buddy and Hermione. Desiree enjoys both adventure and expedition traveling and spending time with her beloved family.

David ArecharAnimal Care Assistant

David is a pet owner himself—he knows exactly how much animal companions mean to the families of the Mission area. As a Veterinary Assistant here at the clinic, he’s able to use his skills to better the lives of pets every single day.

David joined the hospital team in June of 2015 after being referred here by a fellow co-worker, who also happens to be one of David’s very good friends. His favorite part of the job is working hands-on with the pets who visit the clinic; David is still amazed by how far a calm and collected attitude will go when working with a nervous patient!

At home, David lives with his wife, son, daughter, and the family’s mixed-breed dog, Nyxie.

Omar RodriguezAnimal Care Assistant

Thanks to his father’s own passion for the earth’s creatures, Omar grew up with everything from goats and sheep to chickens, turkeys, and a horse. He’s enjoyed the company of animals ever since he can remember! Omar gets to tend to pets’ needs every day as one of Mission Veterinary Hospital’s Veterinary Assistants.

Omar enrolled in a program in his high school to become a Certified Veterinary Assistant, then volunteered at three other local veterinary clinics before beginning his stint as a volunteer with the Mission Veterinary Hospital team. It didn’t take long for him to receive a job offer! Omar has been with the hospital family ever since, and particularly likes bathing dogs and tending to large animals.

Away from work, Omar enjoys tending to his animals at home, working on home renovations with his father, gardening, practicing his archery skills, and woodworking.

Gustavo SanchezAnimal Care Assistant

Aside from his love for art and having a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, Gus has always had a passion for animal care ever since he can remember. One of his earliest memories that might of lead to such passion is when hes parent’s would take in a bird or a baby chick and showed him how to nurse them back to health. Ever since then, at any given chance, Gus has taken in animals in need of medical assistance. Pigeons, doves, ducks, chickens, dogs, humming birds,mice,bunnies, tarantulas, and cats, are some of he animals he’s had to pleasure of nursing back to health. Given this job opportunity has broaden the list of animals he has helped and in the mere future, he hopes to gain more knowledge on how to give medical care to animals by becoming a Vet Tech.

Samantha Garza

Jess MusickAnimal Care Assistant

With a major in Digital Photography, Jess Musick started taking photos with animals. There will always be a soft spot in her heart for animals of the world. She came to Mission Veterinary Hospital in the pursuit of learning more about proper animal care and her fur-family thanks her for it.

Jesse FloresAnimal Care Assistant

A former Kinesiology student at Texas A&M University Kingsville, Jesse was offered the opportunity here at Mission Veterinary Hospital to become an animal care assistant where he discovered his new passion for taking care of animals in need. In doing so he not only found a new enjoyable position but what he considers the most wonderful staff he has ever worked alongside in a work field.
Besides devoting his time here at Mission Veterinary Hospital, he enjoys spending most of his time with his wife, daughter, and feline friend at home as well as exercising with his personal free time.